Persistence Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Job Summary:

The Associate Vice President for Student Success & Educational Equity provides senior leadership for programs that advance student success, retention, persistence, graduation, and educational equity. Reporting to the Vice President for Student Affairs, the AVP oversees key student success units and leads efforts to improve outcomes for all students, with emphasis on first-generation, low-income, and underserved populations. The role partners across Academic Affairs and external stakeholders to implement strategies that close equity gaps and support student achievement. Responsibilities include strategic planning, assessment, budget and resource oversight, organizational leadership, and advancing initiatives aligned with accreditation and the CSU Graduation Initiative.

Responsibilities:

• Provide executive leadership for the development, implementation, and assessment of programs, services, and strategies that advance student access, success, retention, persistence, graduation, and educational equity.
• Lead the University's student success agenda and Graduation Initiative efforts through strategic planning, assessment, and the implementation of evidence-based practices that improve student outcomes.
• Collaborate with Academic Affairs, Student Affairs, and university leadership to develop and implement integrated student success strategies aligned with institutional goals.
• Serve as a member of the Student Affairs senior leadership team, contributing to divisional planning, accreditation, institutional assessment, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Provide oversight of student success and equity-focused departments and programs, including EOP, SAIL, Services for Students with Disabilities, Veteran Success Center, Undocumented Student Success Center, Office of Black Student Success, Career Center, and Pre-College Programs.
• Direct initiatives that support first-generation, low-income, and historically underserved students while advancing retention, persistence, graduation, and post-graduation success outcomes.
• Establish and maintain assessment and reporting systems to monitor student success metrics, evaluate program effectiveness, and support data-informed decision-making.
• Build and strengthen partnerships with community organizations, school districts, educational agencies, and campus stakeholders to enhance college readiness, educational access, and student success pathways.
• Lead professional development initiatives that promote best practices in advising, student support services, student development, and equitable service delivery.
• Analyze institutional data and student success outcomes to inform strategic planning, resource allocation, policy development, and continuous program improvement.
• Partner with academic leadership, including Deans, Associate Deans, Department Chairs, and faculty, to advance institutional priorities related to student achievement and educational equity.
• Support the implementation of university strategic priorities, systemwide student success initiatives, and accreditation requirements.
• Provide executive leadership and supervision for management personnel within the Student Success and Educational Equity portfolio, including setting priorities, performance expectations, and workforce strategies aligned with institutional goals, and overseeing recruitment, performance management, and professional development in accordance with University policy.
• Lead the assessment and evaluation of student success and educational equity initiatives, preparing and presenting reports and recommendations to support data-informed decision-making and continuous improvement.
• Serve as the primary liaison between Academic Affairs and Student Affairs to advance integrated student success strategies and maintain effective communication across campus stakeholders.
• Build and sustain strategic partnerships with faculty, staff, administrators, and community partners to align programs and resources in support of student retention, persistence, graduation, and equity outcomes.
• Provide strategic analysis and recommendations to the Vice President on retention, persistence, resource allocation, and the needs of first-generation, low-income, and historically underserved student populations; lead or support initiatives advancing student success, equity, and organizational effectiveness.
• Represent the University at regional, state, and national conferences and professional organizations, presenting on student success, retention, educational equity, and student development outcomes and best practices.
• Provide executive oversight of budget development, fiscal planning, and resource allocation across the portfolio, ensuring effective stewardship of institutional resources aligned with divisional priorities and student success goals.
• Lead efforts to secure external funding through grants, partnerships, and philanthropy, collaborating with internal and external partners to obtain resources supporting student success, access, and educational equity initiatives.
• Perform other executive-level responsibilities and special assignments in support of divisional operations, institutional priorities, strategic initiatives, and University-wide goals as assigned.

 Minimum Qualifications:

• Master's degree in College Student Development, Higher Education, or related field, with 5+ years of progressive leadership experience in education, management, and organizational development.
• Demonstrated experience in strategic planning, policy development, and leading organizational change, with strong written, verbal, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills to influence decision-making at all levels.
• Expertise in using technology, data analytics, and information systems to support strategic planning, institutional assessment, and data-informed decision-making, including the ability to translate complex quantitative and qualitative data into actionable recommendations.
• Knowledge of federal and state regulations, compliance standards, auditing requirements, and fiscal accountability related to higher education, grants, and sponsored programs, with the ability to assess risk and ensure compliance.
• Proven success in securing and managing external funding, including federally sponsored grants and partnerships supporting student success, equity, and institutional initiatives.
• Experience with student success and opportunity programs (e.g., Educational Opportunity Program), retention strategies, academic advising systems, and higher education policies related to student records and academic operations.

Required Qualifications:

• Ability to effectively supervise and manage student success services, synthesize information from multiple sources, and apply findings to informed management decisions.
• Knowledge of retention and degree-completion initiatives, including the ability to identify administrative challenges and develop effective solutions.
• Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills with the ability to engage diverse stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to apply student success research and literature to support first-generation, low-income, and underrepresented student populations, including evaluation of academic advising and learning support strategies.
• Knowledge of the social, cultural, and systemic factors impacting underrepresented, first-generation, and low-income student populations in higher education.
• Ability to perform effectively in a senior-level higher education leadership role, managing complex priorities and organizational demands.
• Demonstrated expertise in project planning, development, implementation, and assessment of student success initiatives.
• Knowledge of CSU budget policies and fiscal management principles, with the ability to make strategic resource allocation decisions in support of student services.
• Familiarity with federal grant regulations and standards and their application to instructional and student success programs.
• Ability to analyze complex issues, develop innovative solutions, and work both independently and collaboratively.
• Strong leadership and management skills with demonstrated success in academic support services and student success environments.
• Experience leading learning outcomes assessment and using data to improve student learning and achievement.
• Working knowledge of higher education systems, including the integration of Student Affairs and Academic Affairs functions.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Doctoral Degree from an accredited college or university; Extensive knowledge of the CSU, CSUSB, and the Inland Empire; experience in successfully servicing the needs of student populations; demonstrated commitment to championing the division's mission and vision; and use of evidence-based practices to inform continuous quality improvement.
• Group and individual counseling techniques, ability to assess and implement intrusive advising techniques, and capacity to conduct effective group and individual training sessions with staff. Experience with NACE Competencies for Career Readiness and implementing career development models effectively with a diverse student population. Effectively write grant proposals to supplement existing resources.

Compensation and Benefits:

The salary offered will take into account internal equity and experience among other factors.

The anticipated hiring range for this position is $6,891 - $15,834 per month

The CSU system provides a comprehensive benefit package that includes medical, dental and vision plans, membership in the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS), sick and vacation time, and 15 paid holidays a year. Eligible employees are also able to participate in the fee waiver education program. A summary of benefit information can be found here.

Position Information:

Work status: Full-time/Exempt/At-will

Academic year schedule: Monday through Friday (8:00 am - 5:00 pm), some evenings/weekends.

Summer schedule: Monday through Thursday (7:00 am - 5:30 pm), some evenings/weekends.         

This is a full-time management (MPP) position.  MPP employees serve at the will of the campus President.  MPPs do not serve a probationary period and never receive permanent status.

This position is a "designated position" in the California State University's Conflict of Interest Code. The scope of responsibilities for this position includes making or participating in decisions that may have a material financial benefit to the incumbent. Therefore, the individual holding this position is required to file an initial Conflict of Interest: Statement of Economic Interests ("Form 700") within thirty (30 days) from the date of hire and on an annual basis. In addition, the individual holding this position must complete the required conflict of interest training within thirty (30) days of their appointment and at least once during each consecutive period of two calendar years following the appointment, subject to the Fair Political Practices Commission regulations.

First considerations will be given to candidates who apply by Thursday July 16, 2026 and will continue until the position is filled; however, the position may close when an adequate number of qualified applications are received.

California State University, San Bernardino, as part of the CSU system, is a State of California Employer. As such, the University requires all employees upon date of hire to reside in the State of California. As of January 1, 2022 the CSU Out-of-State Employment Policy prohibits the hiring of employees to perform CSU-related work outside the state of California.

California State University, San Bernardino is not a sponsoring agency for staff or management positions (i.e. H1-B Visas).

CSUSB is not an E-Verify employer and cannot support visa holders with certain requirements (e.g., H1B, F1, STEM OPT).

Education Code 89521 Requirements: Applicants will be required to disclose whether they have received a final administrative decision or final judicial decision determining that they have committed sexual harassment within the last 7 years only after a determination is made that they meet the minimum qualifications for the position, and before an offer of employment is extended. Applicants who reach the final stages of the application process must also sign a release form that authorizes the release of information by the applicant's current and/or former employers to the CSU concerning any substantiated allegations of misconduct.

Conditions of Employment

Background Check

Satisfactory completion of a background check (including a criminal records check) is required for employment.  CSU will make a conditional offer of employment, which may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information.  Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the continued employment of a current CSU employee who was conditionally offered the position.

Drivers License Check

Possession of a valid Driver's License is required.  Employees in this position will be enrolled in the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Government Employer Pull Notice Program which confirms possession of a valid driver's license and reflects driving record.

Mandated Reporter

The person holding this position is considered a `mandated reporter' under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition...